Increased demand for cleaning products, the use of e-commerce as a purchasing channel and the preference for functional foods are some of the new trends that will prevail in the medium and long term, once the pandemic is overcome.
According to a study prepared by the Foreign Trade Promoter of Costa Rica (Procomer), the outbreak of covid-19 has caused changes in consumer behavior and to take advantage of the opportunities one must begin to understand those that will come after the pandemic is overcome.
Consumers of differentiated and healthy food are looking for experiences, they are people who work longer and prioritize health and well-being.
From the study "Challenges and Opportunities for the Supply of Differentiated Food" of by Procomer of Costa Rica:
Executive Summary The Costa Rican food industry has evolved in the last 10 years and is showing an average annual growth of 5%, but this dynamism has been mainly due to an increase in the amount exported and not so much because products have greater added value.Meanwhile, global trends in the food industry point to the development of differentiated, natural, autochthonous and sustainable food options. By 2016, 34% of global packaged food sales fell into the category of health and wellness, with options such as fortified, organic, natural, free from [a particular ingredient] or those targeted at intolerant consumers.
A virtual seminar has been organized for April 25, and will address the topic of trends in consumption of superfoods in Europe and the United States.
From a statement issued by PROCOMER:
The Center for Studies for Economic Integration (EIC by its initials in Spanish) at the Secretariat of Central American Economic Integration (SIECA), has announced a virtual seminar (webinar) on superfoods, seeing these as a focus of regional production linkages and improving the competitiveness of agribusiness sectors in Central America.
Consumers in Japan and China are beginning to replace traditional milk chocolate with dark chocolate, attracted by the health benefits of cocoa polyphenols.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER):
In the Asia Choco Cocoa Congress, held from 21 to 23 April in Singapore, experts discussed a change that is occurring in the Japanese consumers, who are turning away from the popular milk chocolate in favor of dark chocolate, due to the growing interest that has arisen in cocoa polyphenols and their effect on health.
Individual packages and innovation in packaging are part of the strategies used by the food industry in Latin America to improve the positioning of healthy packaged products.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The Latin American region has shown a preference for choosing healthier options of packaged foods.
There is an increasing preference on the part of European consumers for confectionery products made from natural raw materials free from artificial ingredients.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rica Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Europe seeks confectionery free from artificial additives
'Natural' has become a key factor for consumers of the five largest European economies (Germany, France, UK, Italy and Spain) who choose gum flavoured with fruit, candy and other products in this category.
Certified organic products, labeled with details of the importer and personal sized or or small packages are some of the preferences of Norwegian consumers when consuming coffee.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
High concentration, with strong flavor and floury consistency are some of the features that coffee consumers in Norway are looking for.
Between January and October 2014 the South American country exported 18% more fresh fruits to the European Union, as a result of the tariff benefits arising from the agreement.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The tariff benefits coming from the Free Trade Agreement between Colombia and the European Union (EU) are promoting new exports, said ProColombia.
When purchasing packaged foods, German consumers show a preference for small or personal sized packages and those which are transparent or colorful.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
In the German market the issue of packaging is extremely important. It is not only an indispensable element for protection of the product, showing information regarding the use and conservation of food and drinks, but it is also the image that catches consumer's eyes making it a differentiator between brands . Moreover, it is one of the main signals regarding product quality, especially when it comes to new products. Consequently, continuous innovation in packaging is essential in this market.
Between 2009 and 2013 the consumption of fresh fruits in the northern country increased 6%, while in the same period vegetable consumption went up by 5%.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The Canadian market for fresh fruits and vegetables is estimated to be worth $11.2 billion a year. The average Canadian buys fresh produce at least once a week and consumes three to five servings per day, well below the eight to ten servings recommended by Canada's Food Guide.
A new type of biodegradable container has been developed for products containing liquid or solid fat which prolongs the shelf life of the food.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
Biomat research group at the University of the Basque Country, has developed a new biodegradable packaging for fatty products, both liquid and solid, made from agro-industrial by-products, thereby contributing to sustainable consumption of raw materials and by-product recovery. The container is transparent and at the same time, an excellent barrier to ultraviolet light and gases such as oxygen. Multilayer laminates are usually used as a barrier to gases, however, the product developed by Biomat group is monolayer, thus greatly reducing its cost. Furthermore, it can be heat sealed and is printable.
"Clean" labels , healthy snacks, frozen and convenience foods, good fats and own name brands are some of the factors that marking out global trends this year.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The main trends which will probably affect the food industry in 2015, have been identified by Innova Market Insights, from analysis of the most important events in the industry.
It is estimated that the global market for health products will have grown by 25% by 2017, with the US leading the demand for these foods, ahead of Japan and European countries.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
According to a report prepared by the consulting firm Leatherhead Food Research the global functional food market will be worth $54 billion in 2017, representing a growth of 25% compared with data for 2013.
Snacks, natural oils and fats, clarity of labeling, focus on "Millennials" and amateur chefs.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
Five factors have been pointed out as playing an important role in the food industry in 2015
The market researcher Innova Market Insights noted that there are five factors which will play an important role in the food industry in 2015: clean labels, convenience for amateur chefs, marketing for millennials, snacks, and fats and good carbohydrates.
In Central and South America the use of this type of packaging grew by 50%, going from nearly 5 billion units in 2008 to 7 billion in 2013.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The market for flexible packaging (such as those used in sauces and mayonnaise) in Central and South America has experienced rapid growth over the past five years, increasing by 50% in volume, going from nearly five billion units in 2008 to 7 billion in 2013, according to a recent report by PCI Films Consulting. The largest categories of individual final consumption were mayonnaise and tomato sauce (not ketchup), each having 16% and 23% of the volumes, respectively.